USA’s Davis Cup team stormed to a 2-1 win against Germany to top Group C and qualify for the quarter-finals in Malaga.
A second-string set up with the likes Reilly Opelka and the in-form Brandon Nakashima have smartly guided America to the top of their Davis Cup group.
Without any of their top five ranked players like US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, a buoyant American outfit managed to top their group to remind the world of their increasing strength in depth.
Playing in Zhuhai, China, the team led by half of the formidable family doubles duo, Bob Bryan, spoke of a historic opening win against Chile.
With Slovakia beaten and Germany clinically dispatched, who qualify in second-place, Team USA may come to Malaga with a completely different set of players – something arguably unfair on the likes of Nakashima who won all his matches this week.
Bob Bryan hails amazing rebirth of American tennis after early Davis Cup triumphs
After Frances Tiafoe’s run to the Cincinnati semi-finals, five American men moved into the ATP top 20 for the first time in 27 years.
The Davis Cup has long been an event America has enjoyed success in, with the 32-time champions again looking ready for the finals.
“We’ve got a lot of great players in the US right now, you can see it in the rankings,” Bob Bryan said after defeating Germany. A lot of guys to choose from for the Finals.
“Hats off to these guys for coming here and carrying us to Malaga. We’ve got a couple of months to relax and get ready, but it’s going to be fun over there. We’re looking forward to it.”
The Americans hold the record for consecutive wins, having notched 17 victories without defeat between 1968 and 1973.
Will Bob Bryan bring in Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe for the quarter-finals?
While Nakashima may well reasonably plead his case to remain the singles player, if USA want to produce a 33rd win, he might unfortunately face the chop.
Despite Nakashima having stormed up the rankings this year and recently beaten both Tommy Paul and Fritz within the last month, he looks set to be replaced.
A big call from Bryan to back his ‘B-Team’ has paid dividends immediately, however feels merely like the perfect solution to the first set of obstacles.
With an Carlos Alcaraz-led Spain as well as reigning champions Italy among the other quarter-finalists, America will need more firepower if they are to continue their progress.
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